How do I color a Mandala?

The most important rule to follow when coloring a mandala is that...there is no right or wrong way to color one! Whatever you feel like doing is what is right. However, there are some tips and techniques you can use to come up with a beautiful and very satisfying end result.

Choosing Your Colors

1. Less is More

I've had moments myself when I went through the entire color chart while coloring a single mandala. The end result is always funky, yet it lacks a certain quality that is attractive about a mandala that's visually captivating. The trick is to pick a handful of colors and stick with them for the whole design! A typical case of "less is more".

2. A Little Knowledge Goes a Long Way

The basics of color theory are so simple and easy to apply! Applying these basics while choosing your colors will definitely elevate your end result. Look up the color wheel. The color wheel makes it easy to know the relationships between colors by dividing the spectrum into three sections: primary colors, secondary colors, tertiary colors.

3. Generators!

There's a ton of free color generators on the internet. All you need to do is find one of them and start browsing. These websites/apps have many stunning palettes for every mood and taste, find the palettes that visually speak to you and archive them.

4. Nature Calls

When all else fails, turn to nature! Nature always gives us the best color schemes--all you have to do is get out there and take note. You can take a walk through your neighborhood and observe the colors you see. You can also pick a bouquet of fresh flowers and use it as your color inspiration.

Coloring Methods

1. From the Inside Out

Many colorists say that the best way to tackle a mandala is to start with the heart of the matter. You start by coloring the center and work your way out from there. Emotionally, it's a straightforward method because you feel your coloring journey growing organically as you move outwards. This synchronicity has its own magic that you'll only understand when you're doing it.

2. From the Outside In

Remember when we started this article by saying there's no right or wrong way? We meant it. It's a different kind of trip when you start coloring from the outermost area of the mandala and work your way in. It's an inward journey, diving deeper into yourself, peeling away the layers until you reach the innermost parts of yourself.

3. Color in Sections and Shapes

Visualizing what the end result looks like before starting is a way some people go about coloring their mandala. As you try to do that while staring at a black and white design, some parts of the mandala will stand out to you before others. Start coloring those first. After you're done, visualize again and see what stands out next. As you keep adding more color to your mandala, visualizing it fully colored gets easier.

4. No Need to Color Every Inch

Mandalas are fascinating in the fact that they are balanced in and of themselves. They're already beautiful before you get to color them. Keeping a balance between color and white may surprise you with a visually satisfying end result.

5. Experiment with Materials

If you're coloring mandalas digitally, try out different coloring brushes and styles, maybe use a dotting technique one time, a shading technique another time.

And if you're coloring mandalas on real paper, try out different coloring tools. Color one with pencil colors, then try watercolors with the next one. As long as your printing paper is thick enough you can go wild with your coloring endeavors.

6. Trust Your Gut

Mandala coloring is after all an artistic process, so how you feel is your main compass. Trust it and let it lead you. Even if you don't like the end result, embrace the outcome and reflect on it. Allow yourself to admire the process and the creation and work through your afterthoughts. And trust me, as you color more mandalas your instinct will also grow in the process and you'll see yourself making more appealing decisions.